Once again Liverpool continue to astound me and show me just how far we've come under Rafael Benetiz. A team that played with an injured Torres for 60 minutes and with out our skipper somehow beat a Real Madrid team that was going very well.

To a player they all did well. Alonso just shading the man of the match display for me, but really it could go any of them (bar Riera who didn't have one of his better days).

Same old story for Liverpool at "fortress" Anfield as another two points slipped away by the worst away team in the league, Man City.

Liverpool's lack of creativity in the middle of the park cost us on this occassion. With Alonso suspended and Gerrard hurt the pairing of Mascherano and Lucas just didnt' work. Neither one of them as much creativity in them so we did well at snuffing out much of City's attacking play but we really struggled to create much in their box. Of course, if we had players that gambled more in the box, like Riera we would have been a couple of goals up at the break. As it was they scoreline at half-time was a very typical 0-0.

Well I apologize to all of you in the media who had your knives out ready to carve Rafa and Liverpool open on Saturday evening. Rafa seems to be public enemy number 1 with whatever he says being reported with a negative spin. Soccernet even had an article with Rafa's rants, which was a bit of a farce really, but I suppose they got what they wanted as I read the article

Liverpool put in an excellent display on Wednesday with Rafa picking his strongest current 11. Liverpool seemed intent to shoot more often with Riera, Alonso and Mascherano all having early efforts. I don't remember Reina having a save to make all afternoon.

Chelsea's goalie didn't look all that comfortable and Liverpool let a couple of follow up opportunities go missing. Of course the talking point of the contest was Lampard's straight red. At the time I thought it was a foul on Lampard. After watching replays I think the outcome was a drop ball. I didn't think it was foul on either player.

Lampard's foot was high and Alonso's follow through caught him. Mike Riley is a terrible ref and he proved so again on this occasion. He missed the tackle four years ago involving the same players that Lampard got away with. He blew this call as well.

Kevin Brodie has been fortunate enough to see some of Liverpool’s greatest teams and players in action over the last 35 years. Reds fans are spoiled for choice in trying to pick their favourite memory. The best early memory I have of watching Liverpool in person was our 7-0 thrashing of Spurs, with the 7th goal being a thing of beauty. Watching us in 89 lift the FA Cup after the terrible disaster at Hillsborough was also very special. My favourite Liverpool moment on the TV has to be the Champions League final in 2005. It was a day I will never forget.